>>>A retainer would be a fee paid to a solicitor (lawyer) to secure his services, or a domestic servant, such as a butler, such as, in the book/film by Viv Stanshall (Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band), "Sir Henry at Rawlington End", the reference to the ancient butler: "Old Scrotum, the wrinkled retainer"
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>>I admire the recursion. A retainer is someone who is paid a retainer? What's the proper word for the guy serving the drinks at the bar, tip?
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>Barman. barmaid, over here. Bartender or barkeep over there, I believe.

But the guy from the quote is a retainer because he's getting a retainer?